GENERAL INFORMATION

When you think of mutation you probably think of something bad, liked deformed people or animals. Although usually mutations are detrimental, this is not always the case. In fact mutations are largest source of genetic variation, which leads to evolution. The reason why is that theses mutations are random and inheritable. This is classified as Non-Mendelian genetics because mutations can cause flaws in the normal dominant-recessive relationships. Example: A red bird and a blue bird mate. Since red is dominant to blue in this case, normally a red bird would have to be the offspring. However the offspring is born albino. Assuming that this trait would normally follow regular Mendellian inheritance, the only explanation is a mutation. Mutations seem to occur at about a rate of one every 200,000 cell divisions.